HC Deb 05 March 1969 vol 779 cc418-9
35. Mr. Palmer

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking to improve the quality of British research and design in the manufacture of advanced turbines in the light of the experience gained from the "Queen Elizabeth 2" passengership.

Mr. Fowler

Sir Arnold Lindley's Report published in the OFFICIAL REPORT for Monday, 3rd March—[Vol. 779, c. 42–5.]—indicates that the difficulties encountered with the turbines of the S.S. "Queen Elizabeth 2" were of a type known to designers of turbines. No action by my right hon. Friend to initiate further research is required, but he is considering Sir Arnold's recommendation that high power marine turbines should undergo a period of investigation under running conditions to ensure reliability in service.

Mr. Palmer

On the assumption made in paragraph 10 of the report, which indicates clearly that there were substantial faults in design, does not this matter merit some special attention for the future by his Department?

Mr. Fowler

As my right hon. Friend explained in an earlier Answer, every marine turbine is different. This is not a similar pattern to that found in aircraft gas turbines. The "Q.E/" turbines, for which the design schedule was designed by Pametrada, was of the same general type of design as a long series of successful turbines, although they are the largest built in that series. I do not believe that wide-ranging conclusions should be drawn from faults in these turbines.

Mr. Albu

Would not my hon. Friend agree that the trouble was that Pametrada was not a research and development organisation but a design and licensing organisation?

Mr. Fowler

There may be something in what my hon. Friend says.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Without minimising the value of Sir Arnold's report, would it not be prudent of Cunard and others concerned not to think that all the troubles are over in fixing sailing dates, and would it not be better to wait and have further sea trials first?

Mr. Fowler

I think Sir Arnold's report made perfectly clear, as everyone else has done, that no one can make a final judgment on whether these turbines will be successful in service until further sea trials. We shall not know for certain until they have been in service for a long time. We cannot say this about any turbine.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the firm which made these turbines yesterday announced some £6 million of export orders which, together with the Lindley report, should remove the unjustifiable cloud that has hung over the reputation of Clydeside engineering?

Mr. Fowler

I noticed the orders announced by John Brown Engineering for land gas turbines, which were from a different division of the firm. I was delighted to see that the reputation of the firm had apparently not suffered from this unhappy incident.